Old Limbs for New

George Bartlett.

Trying to create a back-story for any of the Gillingham patients is made difficult by the lack of a complete name, however, the recommendation letter from George Bartlett gives us his address, The George Inn, Martock, as well.  George was born in 1836 in East Chinnock.  In the 1861 Census, he is stated to be living at West Coker Hill Farm.  His father was a substantial farmer of 140 acres and he employed 13 labourers and three boys.  Between 1861 and 1868, when the letter was written, George married Eliza Warry in 1864, stating himself to be a farmer (and literate as he signed the certificate) and he suffered a severe accident damaging one of his legs.  In 1871, the Census states that he was an Innkeeper (and in 2 trade Directories) at the George Inn, Church Street, Martock.

So, can we presume that George had an accident on the farm which made him change his job description?  It is the most likely reason, but not a certainty.  George died in 1883 at the early age of 47, leaving £108. 5s 2d to his widow Eliza.  They had two sons and a daughter.  In the Census of 1891, Eliza is running the Cross Keys Inn at East Lydford.

Click below to download this content as audio: